THE BALANCE OF POWER POLITICS IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN: EXPLAINING THE US APPROACH TOWARD TÜRKİYE AND GREECE

Abstract

This thesis analyzes whether Greece has become an intra-alliance balancing actor in the United States policy toward Türkiye within the framework of deepening strategic relationship between the United States and Greece since 2016. The theoretical framework is based on neorealist balance of power theory and the alliance literature. In this study, intra-alliance balancing refers to a strategy to alter patterns of dependence, expand strategic options and influence leverage among allies with different interests and threat perceptions. The study uses qualitative document analysis to examine official U.S. strategy documents, defense agreements, legislation, congressional hearings, statements at the presidential and ministerial levels, military doctrines, and relevant secondary literature.